Hertford in Bloom

Hertford in Bloom Launches!

Hertford in Bloom is to launch this week, organised by Mudlarks and Love Flowers.

The aim of the competition is to encourage the improvement of our town through the imaginative use of plants and flowers. It also aims to achieve a litter free and sustainable environment and to beautify the town for residents and visitors alike.

Entries are now open for people who want to take part in the competition and help to transform the town with floral displays this summer.

The competition is open to schools, community groups, residents, local businesses, and individuals, and everyone from novices to professional gardeners can take part.

Competition Rules:

Only living (real) flowers/ plants to be used - (applies to all categories)

The competition is organised by Mudlarks and Love Flowers, is free to enter and the judges' decision is final.

Best Front Garden (over 3 metres): Open to all private residential premises. Front gardens must be visible to passers-by, and can include bedding plants, herbaceous plants, shrubs trees lawns and containers.

Best Small Garden Frontage or Balcony (under 3 metres): Open to all private residential premises. Front gardens must be visible to passers-by, and can be any living floral design.

Best Public House, Hotel, Guest House: All entries must be visible to the passer-by, can be of any floral design, and a living planted display.

Best Restaurant or Café: All entries must be visible to the passer-by, can be of any floral design, and a living planted display. Decorating the inside of windows and windowsills is permitted, only real flowers/ plants to be used.

Best Shop or Business: All entries must be visible to the passer-by, can be of any floral design, and a living planted display. Decorating the inside of windows and windowsills is permitted, only real flowers/ plants to be used.

Best Hanging Basket/Planters/ Window Box: All entries must be visible to the passer-by, can be of any floral design, and a living planted display.

Tallest Sunflower (under 16’s): Sunflowers must be grown at home or school by the entrant. Any variety of sunflower (Helianthus species) is eligible for entry. Entries must be live plants.

Best School Garden: Impact and overall impression of the space available. Well managed natural habitats, encouraging native plants/wildlife, quality and maintenance of the permanent planting/flowers vegetables/fruit and enthusiasm, enjoyment and involvement of the children.

Best wildlife or Environmental Plot (including Allotments): The judges will visit each site in the summer, and consider all plots. A positive impact on the environment is a key criterion.

Best Community Group: Open to groups of residents, tenants organisations, and community groups wishing to nominate shared and communal gardens. Judges will be looking for a colourful display of flowers and foliage, and can include bedding plants, herbaceous plants, shrubs, trees, lawns and containers.

Judging will take place in the week of the 1st July 2019. with judges from Mudlarks, Love Flowers, the town and district council.